House version includes fund provision for Warren

Under the House-passed budget, cities would receive a 20 percent cut in state funding. COLUMBUS -- Warren would get a special gift if the proposed two-year, $51.3 billion state budget passed by the Ohio House on Tuesday becomes law. Under a recently added provision, $100,000 is earmarked for Warren in the first budget year, which begins July 1, and $200,000 in the next budget year to help Warren provide police and fire protection services. State Rep. Randy Law, R-Warren, said he worked with House GOP leaders on the provision and said it roughly equals the state funding cuts Warren would have endured because of other facets of the proposed state budget. "This way they don't have to lay off police and firemen," Law said of city officials. Funding cuts Under the House-passed budget, cities would receive a 20 percent reduction in state funding. Counties would also receive a 20 percent state funding cut but could see that cut halved by filing plans with the state to consolidate government services. Under the House-passed budget, some villages and townships could also see a portion of the proposed 10 percent state funding cut lowered based on need. The budget now moves to the Senate for consideration. The current, two-year $48 billion state budget runs through June 30. Lawmakers must enact the next two-year outlay by July 1, under state law.